there.

Hyunsik was partially prepared to just be brushed off, but he was relieved nonetheless that she didn’t, a grin spreading on his face that was definitely not cool and casual like he was trying to be. “Yeah, for sure! Sweet and pretty suits you well,” he said.“I’m ready to switch off the performance brain for a bit.”

frankly, yeseo was grateful that he was talking to her again, but if you ever questioned her about it, she’d tell you that she missed the attention. that wasn’t completely the truth, but nevertheless, there was a huge weight off her chest. at the compliment, she beamed, batting at his arm playfully, but elated to be complimented and not at all making any sort of connection because being called pretty to her was second nature at this point smh. “you must be exhausted-- debut promotions are super extra busy,” she replied, recalling the like ooh ahh says fondly. “you need to lead the way, though-- i’m terrible with directions...”

a roll of her eyes and a very deep sigh, she answers “ i mean— it’s whatever, a little funny even… because, like, you never see those kind of comments about boy groups, you know? ”

“you don’t, which is so dumb, because all of liberty’s groups are just copying each other. they don’t even hide it,” yeseo agreed. “seriously, though, could you even see juliette putting something out like knock knock? or, at least, after like 2013? it makes no sense...”

He didn’t feel great about how he worded it, he just didn’t know how to say it in a way that wouldn’t spell out the fact that he had a pretty big crush. Making that obvious now would be a risky move… he knew it was selfish to think of it that way, but it was still on his mind. “Thanks…” he said, finally looking at her. “We can hang out soon, I promise.” He just had to hang in there until debut, if she didn’t already hate his guts.

she swallowed back her sadness and disappointment, and forced a big smile for him (she was good at it at this point-- she had to pretend like she was happy during cheer up performances, and she hated that song by this point). “i’m sure it’s coming in no time! you guys are goin to be super successful-- i just know it.”

“I have to wonder if some people just get some sick satisfaction out of it… as much as I want to believe that people are naturally good and give them the benefit of the doubt, they make it so difficult.”

“you know damn well i have a separate playlists of slow grind sexy songs. i’m not ashamed,” she answered bluntly with a laugh. “i really do feel for them. i mean, i even feel a little cringy performing cheer up at concerts, you know?”

“well, i don’t, but i think i’m just naturally cuter than you, so it’s understandable,” yeseo answered with a curt nod. “i hope that ring ring is like... a turning point for them. it seemed to suit them so much better, you know?”

He sighed a little, not able to meet her eyes when seeing her pout again. “You didn’t upset me, I promise,” Hyunsik replied. “I just… have to stay focused right now.”

“oh...” she paused, trying to keep her face neutral. she knew how much focus it took to debut-- she of anyone, with venus’ schedules? she got it. but having it implied that she was a distraction....it didn’t feel good. she was being selfish, but it hurt. “well...good luck i guess,” she answered quietly

 The question came across his mind too quickly for him to filter out, but he’s too curious now to not ask. If he’s mad at anyone right now, it was most likely himself. “Why would I be mad at you?”

“i don’t know-- maybe i did something on accident to upset you and didn’t realize,” she insisted, tiny pout forming. “i was just worried i’d done something wrong....”

“Nobody’s perfect – but I think it’s a sad fact that people are so complacent with not being better because it doesn’t come as naturally. Putting in an effort is worth it, but people are so focused on things being immediate.”

“i have plenty of playlists for different moods, yeseo. don’t make it weird,” chiharu laughed. “that’s fair. i mean, minji’s hated all of delight’s song the past few years. at least more and more isn’t something i hate….i just don’t like it…”

“hey, i don’t judge. if you had those playlists for other reasons, i’d still love and support you all the same,” she insisted in a sing song voice. “i mean, i guess that makes sense, though. she’s older than us performing songs we would have debuted with. that feels like it’d be embarrassing.”

“No, I definitely agree with you. If you’re going to be hateful, you don’t deserve to have a platform.”

Hyunsik really wasn’t good at dealing with feelings at all, and after accidentally blurting out that he thought Yeseo was pretty, there was a lot of feelings surfacing that he’s pretty sure he wasn’t ready to deal with just yet. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Training has just been a lot more intense, lately–I’m not avoiding you,” Hyunsik stated. It wasn’t false – so he wasn’t really lying in saying he wasn’t avoiding her. The timing was a little too convenient, though.

“oh,” she replied, her pout lessening a tiny bit. she remembered how hard her training years were. “i guess that makes sense.... creed is popping off.” she sighed. “i just miss hanging out! it just felt like you were mad at me...”

“please– i already have a playlist that suits that very mood. i can just forward it to them,” chiharu laughed. “i just…..maybe more & more will grow on me in a few years. but for now….i hate performing it.”

“oh? for any reason?” yeseo giggled, imagining what rina’s playlist must look like. “yeah, that makes sense. i guess every group has some songs they don’t like as much though.”